AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 13th February. In spite of war conditions, the demands of public decency and the outspoken disgusts of a nauseated people, the great game of politics continues to be played with enthusiasm, in both the State and Federal arenas. There are seven Parliaments in this country, each complete, from Sergeant-at-Arms to titled Governor, so perhaps it is not to be wondered at that there is always "some-, thing doing." The barony conferred on Sir John Forrest was not altogether an honour undeserved. The big. Westerner's exploration work alone .entitled him to tho gratitude of the Empire;. while his political services, particularly in West Australia, have been of incalculable value. He has not done so much in the Federal House, but it was known he ardently desired to be Prime Minister of Australia, and that what he wanted he usually got.' The Federal political situation for some time past has been most unstable, and the steady push of John Forrest's loyal friends could always, be felt. When/ it was announced that Mr. Hughes is to go almost immediately to London, Everyone asked: How long will he remain Prime Minister,' with John Forrest.at work in Melbourne? The.barony is the answer. Lord Forrest will never be Prime Minister of rabidly democratic Australia. Sir 'William Irvine, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Watt are left to hunger for the Prime Ministership, with Mr. Watt as the only real possibility. There is a. great pro-Watt intrigue moving now, led by Mr. Holman, Premier of New South 'Wales, and it will presently be Been in the open. ■ .

There has boen a Cabinet crisis in New South Wales. The State has committed itself to spend some millions on great wheat silos, and one of the biggest contracts went to one Teasdale, Smith, a. great contractor from West Australia. Cabinet approved o£ the contract, but it was subsequently learned that- the document signed, or about, to be signed, did _ not contain 'certain clauses that Cabinet had approved of. Then there ,\vas trouble. Yesterday, after protracted Cabinet meetings, Mr. Holman smilingly said the trouble was all over, that it was due entirely to a misunderstanding, and that a contract, carrying all the clauses required by Cabinet, had' been agreed to and signed. Such are politics in Australia.